Folktales

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Folktales

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1h 46m

Documentary

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79%

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28 Reviews

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Fewer than 50 Ratings

In Oscar®-nominated filmmakers Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady's life-affirming documentary, teenagers converge at a traditional folk high school in Arctic Norway where they must rely on only themselves, one another, and a loyal pack of sled dogs as they all grow in unexpected directions. In Norse mythology, the three "Norns" are powerful deities who weave the threads of fate and shape humans' futures. Today, Pasvik Folk High School in northern Norway aims to produce a similar life-changing effect on its students. FOLKTALES tells the timely and heartwarming story of teenagers who choose to spend an unconventional "gap year" learning to dog sled and survive the Arctic wilderness, in hopes of finding connection and meaning in the modern world. Guided by patient teachers and a yard full of heroic Alaskan huskies, they discover their own potential and develop deep relationships with the land, animals and humans around them. Through intimate verité storytelling and exhilarating cinematography, Ewing and Grady examine humans on the cusp of adulthood, finding themselves at the edge of the world.

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Sheila O'Malley

RogerEbert.com

The film suggests that finding the threads connecting us to our collective past is work of great healing and rejuvenation.

Rated: 3.5/4

Jul 25, 2025

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Kyle Smith

Wall Street Journal

“Folktales” is not only magical and warm, it’s also a bracing interlude of good cheer. The sled dogs keep saying, “Arrooo!” and I felt the same way.

Jul 24, 2025

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Sheri Linden

New York Times

There is poetry as well as deep affection in their close-ups of people and dogs, and lessons for any age in the way students tumble off their sleds and get right back up.

Jul 24, 2025

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Pat Mullen

POV Magazine

The film conjures a sense of serenity as these students and their classmates learn how to take care of themselves in ways that people used to explore before the answer was just a quick Google search away.

Jul 30, 2025

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Ria Dhull

Spectrum Culture

Folktales allows the viewer to experience life at a Norwegian folk high school and know for themselves the same hope and awe felt by the students.

Jul 29, 2025

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Mark Jackson

Epoch Times

“Folktales” is an instant classic, a favorite documentary, and a film that can and will change lives once it breaks away from the documentary dog-pack.

Rated: 5/5

Jul 26, 2025

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Stephen C

Real footage in 1 hour and 46 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! In Norwegian and American English audio options with American English subtitles!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/29/25

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Heidi Ewing

Director

Rachel Grady

Director

Maiken Baird

Executive Producer

Michael Bloom

Executive Producer

Christine Connor

Executive Producer

Ian Darling

Executive Producer

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Folktales: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

In Oscar®-nominated filmmakers Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady's life-affirming documentary, teenagers converge at a traditional folk high school in Arctic Norway where they must rely on only themselves, one another, and a loyal pack of sled dogs as they all grow in unexpected directions. In Norse mythology, the three "Norns" are powerful deities who weave the threads of fate and shape humans' futures. Today, Pasvik Folk High School in northern Norway aims to produce a similar life-changing effect on its students. FOLKTALES tells the timely and heartwarming story of teenagers who choose to spend an unconventional "gap year" learning to dog sled and survive the Arctic wilderness, in hopes of finding connection and meaning in the modern world. Guided by patient teachers and a yard full of heroic Alaskan huskies, they discover their own potential and develop deep relationships with the land, animals and humans around them. Through intimate verité storytelling and exhilarating cinematography, Ewing and Grady examine humans on the cusp of adulthood, finding themselves at the edge of the world.

Director: Heidi Ewing, Rachel Grady
Producer: Heidi Ewing, Rachel Grady
Distributor: Magnolia Pictures
Production Co: Magnolia Pictures, Topic Studios, Fifth Season, Loki Films
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: Norwegian
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 25, 2025, Limited
Box Office (Gross USA): $6.7K
Runtime: 1h 46m